I'm just bursting with excitement, so I'm going to get really personal here. This past spring a friend of mine got accepted into a year-long weight loss study through Bristol-Myers-Squibb. I was very interested in it, as I've struggled with weight loss my entire life. Just last year, I took off 25 pounds, but like always, put it back on and then some. I wanted to be part of a more structured program, but am at a time in my life when I really couldn't accept the added expense. Anyway, I called the phone number and got accepted myself. In the last 6 weeks I've lost 21.2 pounds in route to hopefully losing somewhere between 90 and 100 pounds.

I drink two Slim-Fasts a day; I stick to under 1735 calories (and 55 fat grams), 4 servings (ounces) of meat, 6 servings of starch, 4 servings of fruit, 1 additional serving of dairy (usually low-fat yogurt), 3 servings of fat, and as many servings of non-starchy veggies as I want. I have to write down everything I eat (and the time) in a food journal which I turn in when I go to my doctor's visits.

I wear a special pedometer that keeps track of 7 days worth of my exercise and I also record all this on my journal on a daily basis. I've become a walking machine. I really think this exercise has been the key.

They study part is that I may or may not be on an experimental appetite suppressant (I may be on a placebo).

I've been learning all kinds of things that I think could help me for life. I've pretty much accepted that my weight loss (even though I have a goal) is not a destination, but a life-long journey. I've realized how the old standards of writing everything down and realizing you can eat what you want if you're willing to exercise it off both really do work. I've dropped the diet caffeine free soda, as I've discovered that carbonation causes you to retain water, and the artificial sweetener causes you to think you're hungry when you're not.

One simple, yet interesting thing I learned at Bible Study last night (it uses a book called Lose It For Life and invites God to partner in your weight loss) is that the colder the water the better, because your body has to warm it up, so it burns calories in the process.

I've also learned that I DO like several foods that years ago I did not.

Anyway, just wanted to share my exuberance and see if anyone else had any experiences, tips, etc. that they wanted to share.

congratulations on your losing ways Amy!! I am so proud of you. Weight issues seem to affect most everyone these days. I have convinced myself that now that my nest is empty, I will have more time for exercise and because there won't be a teenager in the house, I won't need to have so much food here to tempt me.

So I spent the last 3 days weeding my 1 1/2 acre yard and hauled 12 wheelbarrows full of weed to the burn pile. I also worked with the horses a bit more than usual and cleaned the house. Took my laundry outside and hung it rather than dumping it in the dryer too. Guess keeping busy will help me not think about how far away my son is now.

congratulations on your losing ways Amy!! I am so proud of you. Weight issues seem to affect most everyone these days. I have convinced myself that now that my nest is empty, I will have more time for exercise and because there won't be a teenager in the house, I won't need to have so much food here to tempt me.

So I spent the last 3 days weeding my 1 1/2 acre yard and hauled 12 wheelbarrows full of weed to the burn pile. I also worked with the horses a bit more than usual and cleaned the house. Took my laundry outside and hung it rather than dumping it in the dryer too. Guess keeping busy will help me not think about how far away my son is now.

Sounds like a mom in denial (about her son being gone). That has to be tough. I can't imagine how I'll handle that.

On the other hand, all of your activities sound not only healthy, but quite productive! Way to go!

Congratulations Amy! Way to go! I had joined Weigh Watchers here at work. They give you a nice discount and the meeting are on Wednesday during the lunch hour. I signed up for the 18 weeks and I lost only 5 pounts but I think that was my fault. I had a a business trip and a vacation one during that period. I did learn a few things there but I did not signup again after the 18 weeks were up. I felt that I was not committing myself fully to the program.

One thing that is helping me keep off weigh is taking the train/bus to work & the stadium. The walk going up the hill to the stadium from where the bus leaves you is a nice excercise. by the time I get to the Top of the Park where my seat is I am huffing and puffing.

I

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wear a special pedometer that keeps track of 7 days worth of my exercise and I also record all this on my journal on a daily basis. I've become a walking machine. I really think this exercise has been the key.

Thank you for reminding me that I do have a pedometer at home and I've been meaning to wear it. I also walk from work to the train station.

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I've been learning all kinds of things that I think could help me for life. I've pretty much accepted that my weight loss (even though I have a goal) is not a destination, but a life-long journey

That is one thing tht our legendary UCLA coach John Wooden always stressed that "success is a journey, not a destination" I read one of his books and been meaning to pick another one but oh, so many books to read. Actually I am going to buy one for a friend mine that loves John Wooden.

Mostly with me, it's been just exercise. I'd probably be bored just walking around my neighborhood so I've been walking a couple of miles on the beach at least three days a week (really convenient when the Dodgers have day games, so I just go in the early evening) or doing different things around town. I even called Jan the other night from Tourmaline Surf Park, and the walk went faster while I was gabbing. Sometimes I'll hit Balboa Park and walk Palm Canyon, which is south of the zoo.

During the offseason, I was hiking on Cowles Mountain every week. The uphill walk is pretty strenuous--at 1600 feet it's the highest point within the city limits. But I like different elevations and terrains besides just flat ground.

As Crzblue noted,

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The walk going up the hill to the stadium from where the bus leaves you is a nice excercise.

That is some walk! I enjoy doing it too, though (plus thinking of the rewards on the other side).

Besides walking and hiking, I swim four or five days a week, too.

It's easier for me to do these things than give up Dodger DogsŪ. LOL._________________"The Dodgers have always occupied an enormous place in the history of the game. If the Yankees are the most successful team in baseball history, the Dodgers are the most essential. Their legacy is unique."

congratulations on your losing ways Amy!! I am so proud of you. Weight issues seem to affect most everyone these days. I have convinced myself that now that my nest is empty, I will have more time for exercise and because there won't be a teenager in the house, I won't need to have so much food here to tempt me.

So I spent the last 3 days weeding my 1 1/2 acre yard and hauled 12 wheelbarrows full of weed to the burn pile. I also worked with the horses a bit more than usual and cleaned the house. Took my laundry outside and hung it rather than dumping it in the dryer too. Guess keeping busy will help me not think about how far away my son is now.

Sounds like a mom in denial (about her son being gone). That has to be tough. I can't imagine how I'll handle that.

On the other hand, all of your activities sound not only healthy, but quite productive! Way to go!

I am not in denial..just a little depressed about it. Seems so quiet around the house without any crappy "System of Down" or "Korn" music blaring. I tried to sign into his Limewire account the other day, just to play so really annoying music so it would feel like home.

We finally got a letter from him last week. He is ok, but hungry!! He says when he goes through the chow line, the "convicts" (his word, not mine) just give him a deer in the headlights look and the guide pushes him down the line so he misses 1/2 the food.

He is tired as well. And in some pain (his shin splints are acting up again). But he says MCMAP (Marine Corps Martial Arts Program) is relaxing and stress relieving and he enjoys that tremendously.

Meanwhile, I have finished all his laundry and packed away his civvies in his room (amazing how uncluttered the house is all of sudden). And I went to the Dr. the other day because I had an infection in my eyes, and when I stepped on the scale, I had actually GAINED 4 pounds... Ugh!

Oh, I want it to share this with you. During one fo the sessions back when I was going to Weight Watchers, the person conducting the session said this 'Would you consider taking a shower with soda?" Well, that is what you are doing to you body inside. You need to cleanse it out. Just like we take a shower wtih water, the body needs to be cleansed with water". i know we know this, but sometimes we need someone to repeat it to us. Ok, now I need to go get me a glass of water.

the person conducting the session said this 'Would you consider taking a shower with soda?"

I don't know if that's a very good analogy. But I do drink a lot of water (as you know I drink a lot of beer too, but more water).

However, I wouldn't take a shower in lowfat milk or orange juice either, and those are my two other favorite drinks. In fact the first thing I drink every morning is freshly squeezed orange juice, which is a great way to start the day._________________"The Dodgers have always occupied an enormous place in the history of the game. If the Yankees are the most successful team in baseball history, the Dodgers are the most essential. Their legacy is unique."

BJ I'm glad he is doing good and you have been hearing from him. Has he got to call you much yet. I bet not, they are pretty tough. You told me you have been excerising with a friend. How is that going? And Linda the next time you call me and you are walking I will do that to. Unless our time difference puts me late at night. To Amy you keep going girl and keep us updated. Emma that does put it in perspective. That would be totally gross even though I drink diet. At least it wouldn't be sticky with diet soda.

I've had more than one poster send me a pm asking about my weight loss -- looking for tips. I thought that perhaps others might be interested too. I have no "magic wand", but here is some information that I consider helpful.

I credit walking for most of my weight loss, because I increased my daily activity from around 4000 steps a day to around 11,000 steps a day (over 4 miles).

However, a friend of mine and I are on a year-long weight-loss study through Bristol-Myers-Squibb, which means that I am also on a nutrition plan. I have to have a certain number of servings from each food group and stay within 1735 calories/55 fat grams. My friend is male, 6'5" and I know he is allowed 2700 calories a day (but I'm not sure on the fat gram count). We both drink 2 Slim-Fast Optimas every day (not as meal replacements, but as 2 of our dairy servings). They are extremely high in fiber and aid as an appetite suppressant (as well as providing nutrients). For the first 12 weeks of this study, we are on an unidentified medication, which may be an appetite suppressant, or may be a placebo. I'm not sure what I'm on, as the Slim-Fast helps so much with this.

Several tips I would provide to anyone, not matter what they're overall plan for losing weight are:

1. No matter how active (or inactive) you are, find a way to squeeze in some additional activity. It comes down to simple math. You can eat more if you burn off more. Exercise isn't an option, but a must. Walking, stretching, weight-lifting, jogging, swimming, aerobics, whatever.

2. Don't eat until you're full. That feeling of fullness takes several minutes to settle in, so you're probably satisfied before you realize it.

3. Watch portion sizes -- especially when eating out. Most Italian restaurants give you an amount of pasta that is equal to 6 to 8 actual servings of starch -- your entire day's allotment, and that's BEFORE you get to any of those delicious breadsticks. Ask for a doggy bag (box) right away and put at least half of your food in it, so you don't eat more than you need/want simply because it's there.

4. Weigh yourself several times a week. Yes, that goes against conventional wisdom, but it really helps you keep a grip on where you're at and if you need to cut back (or bump up the exercise).

5. Eat lots of vegetables. Get creative. Add salsa to lots of stuff. Grill out mushrooms. However, starchy vegetables like peas and corn (and potatoes) don't count here; they count as starch (bread & potato) servings. Also, when dining out, keep in mind that most restaurants use so much oil to cook their vegetables (for things like fajitas) that you're probably getting an extra 200 to 300 calories.

6. Eat 4 servings of fruit a day (apples, bananas, and 1 cup of most fruits actually count as 2 servings). Apples are "nature's perfect fruit" and at least one should be eaten every day.

7. Even though dairy is high in calories, don't cut it out of your diet, as it is now believed to help speed up your metabolism. Of course, since it is high in calories, don't go over the recommended 3 servings either.

8. Don't deprive yourself. If you're craving something, eat some of it. If you don't, you'll probably eat too much of it at a later time. This summer, I've been skipping the ice cream when my husband goes to Culver's (Springfield's version of Ted Drewe's), but I treated myself to homemade ice cream on the 4th of July, and didn't feel a bit guilty.

9. Drink lots and lots and lots of water. I used to think that drinking diet caffeine free soda was just fine, but apparently, carbonation can lead to water retention, so instead of having between 125 to 160 ounces of it a day, I have maybe 50 ounces a week. I drink a lot of ice water, but I also drink some 0-calorie flavored waters and some bottled diet iced teas. The colder you drink it, the better, as the body burns calories to bring the beverage to body temperature.

10. If you have a 'bad' meal (or day), don't throw in the towel; just get back on track. It's not a destination, it's a journey.

That is quite impressive, IA. You are showing some real grit and determination in this endeavor. I don't know how you cut back so drastically with the diet sodas. That would be the hardest thing for me!

Has Brock been supportive of you? Does he offer to walk with you, stuff like that?

You have inspired me..........I have been going to the gym, walking the treadmill and riding the bike and doing some arm machines. I feel good and hopefully your success will carry over, it's harder though in your forty's ...........what used to be easy is harder.

You have inspired me..........I have been going to the gym, walking the treadmill and riding the bike and doing some arm machines. I feel good and hopefully your success will carry over, it's harder though in your forty's ...........what used to be easy is harder.

You go girl! I'm not much behind you (late 30's). The pattern of where it's dropping off first isn't necessarily my first choice, but I'm so happy that I'm not being picky.

Thanks for posting your progress Amy and thanks for the tips. Sounds like you are doing great. You mentioned how much you walk so I just bought a pedometer to see how much I walk just on a regular day. It should be interesting and I hope it makes me more away of how much excersise I do. My husband and I are both starting to go to the gym and do the treadmill. Keep up the good work and keep us up to date on how you are doing. You go girl.